December 2019

Melikam Gena - Ethiopian

Veselé Vianoce - Slovakian

Krismasi Njema- Swahili

Glædelig Jul - Danish

Good Yule - Pagan, Wiccan, Norse

Mid Winter Festival - First Nations

Happy Chanukah –Jewish

Habari Gani - Kwanzaa

THE

Honoring our many paths. Our Community includes people of all faiths and we respect the unique spiritual principles each of us practices in our daily lives. Each person has freedom in matters of spiritual belief and practice. With our growing cultural diversity, it can be challenging to be inclusive of all practices including those who don’t identify with any faith. We recognize that Canadians come from a variety of faiths and traditions that mark special days at many different times throughout the year, that sadly, don’t seem to get the same kind of attention that holidays at the end of the year do. We do well to break down our barriers and celebrate community finding the courage to create a place of welcome for all.

Glen News Forest Glen Condominiums

Happy holidays to all

And Happy New Year

Próspero Año Nuevo - Spanish

Meri Kurisumasu- Japanese

새해 복 많이 받으세요 - Korean

Craciun Fericit - Romanian

Joyeux Noel - French

Frohe Weihnachten - German

С Новым годом ! Russian

新年快樂 / 新年快 乐 – Chinese

Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku –Polish

Kali Xronia- Greek

Felice Anno Nuovo – Italian

Manigong Bagong Taon – Filipino

Eedookh Breekha - Aramaic

Śubh krisamas -Hindi

Eid Milad Majid– Arabic

Namaste - Buddhist

One of the goals of the Garden Club is to increase biodiversity at Forest Glen. Put simply, biodiversity refers to the variety of living things. Its importance lies in the fact that living things are connected in various complex ways. Our gardens, as well as our lawns, trees, and shrubs, greatly enhance the appearance of our property and allow us to enjoy a park-like setting right where we live. But, in addition, they also provide food and /or shelter for the non-human creatures who share our environment: birds, insects, squirrels, rabbits and others. By planting a variety of species we can provide these creatures with more options. For example, if one plant species becomes scarce or disappears, then, hopefully, other suitable alternatives will be available. I would like to remind you that the Garden Club welcomes ideas and suggestions from all Forest Glen residents. However, if you would like to become an active volunteer gardener- doing planting, watering, pruning, etc. - you must sign an “Informed Consent/ Waiver of Responsibility Form” and receive a copy of the “Risk Management Rules for Volunteer Gardeners”. For further information contact the individuals named below: Janet Bryers, 1208C (905-522-1208) or Pat McNeice, 104 B (pmcn@cogeco.ca)

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Hello, My name is Rene, I run the ABC Club every Wednesday 2- 4PM in the Party Room (basement of B building.) There is coffee or tea and snacks for everyone to enjoy and a chance to meet your neighbours. All for the price of a toonie ($2.)

Best Regards,

Rene

905-308-9278

The Garden Club: By Janet Bryers

The ABC Club /coffee Hour

Message From the President of the Board Pam Bau

As this is my first letter from the president, I would like to start with some gratitude. First, thank you to everyone who ran for a spot on the board this year. There was quite the competition with some excellent resumes and stirring speeches. It was fantastic to see so many people interested in joining the board! We welcome 3 new elected members Alexander Huang, Rosemary Chenier and John Debenham who have already hit the ground running. We gratefully bid a farewell to 2 directors who worked hard during their lengthy tenures, Hugh Duffy and Norene Anderson. To my fellow board members I would like to say thank you. We are not very deep into our year and have only enjoyed a single meeting with our new members, but the upbeat attitudes and genuine desire to make Forest Glen the best possible place to live is evident. We have a great year ahead of us! It is also incredibly important that I take a moment and thank the staff we have here at Forest Glen. They have dealt with some tough issues in the last year, but have kept at it, taking pride in their jobs and being a huge contributing factor in Forest Glen being such a great place to live. Our cleaning team deserve kudos for making our buildings consistently sparkle. Our superintendents take care of thousands of tiny details every day that many of us don't even notice, on top of the bigger things that come up with buildings that are as old as the ones we have here at Forest Glen. Several times in the last few months we have seen our superintendents as well as our property manager on site working far after their work days should have ended because of an unmatched loyalty to our owners and a bona fide desire to see Forest Glen thrive. Speaking of Forest Glen thriving, I couldn't mention the staff without taking a moment to thank our property manager, Jetta. Without the time, expertise, and enthusiasm Jetta brings to our community, we wouldn't be where we are today. Jetta has an incredible ability to coordinate contractors, city workers, staff, and residents during a crisis, and make it look like it's easy. Lastly, I would like to thank YOU, the Forest Glen resident who has taken time out of your busy holiday season schedule to be involved in our Forest Glen community by reading this newsletter. Feel free to contact any member of the board, or email me directly president@forestglenhamilton.ca if you would like to contribute to the newsletter. We are always interested in submissions from our residents! All the best Happy Holidays Pam

From the Editor’s Desk Janet Kronick editorglennew@gmail.com

I’m in my 3rd year on the board and some days I’m less enthusiastic than others. It takes a lot of work to ensure condo buildings are safe, secure and financially stable. Lack of passion or concern can manifest itself among directors who are stressed with work and life, and they may be unable to always give the time required. This becomes more prevalent when there is a shortage of new individuals interested in serving as condo directors. It was exciting to see so many candidates eager to be involved on the board. The AGM was well attended, and the new board is humming along nicely. Your continued interest to serve on the board will hopefully be there again next year. Serving as a volunteer condo director can be difficult. Directors dedicate their time to the community and can unfortunately receive hate mail, derogatory comments or abusive behaviour. Even the most capable and nicest of people can tire of it and become more skeptical of dealing with intolerant or disrespectful owners Our new directors lend a fresh perspective, offer new priorities and force new thinking on the group. That energy is motivating and needed. I applaud your action to step up to serve wherever the opportunity arises. Get to know your neighbours, greet each other with warm and friendly welcome, and embrace our diversity and inclusiveness by equally wishing everyone the best that their heritage celebrates at this time of year. Happiest of New Years to Everyone, Janet

Photos from the AGM

Hello, my name is John Debenham I'm a director on the board at Forest Glen. I was voted in at the last AGM meeting of which I must say thank you all very much. As a new Director I heard one of our owners say she thought it would a good idea if we had someone that could be available to check up on seniors who are living alone in our buildings. My wife and I together would be available to contact you. Also, if anyone is interested to help out you can also contact me and we can get together to develop a plan. Call us at # 905-220-7519 Regards John and Irene Debenham

Maureen served on the Board of the WCC9 for a combined total of 12 years. Her commitment and dedication to our condo community is exemplary. She is dearly missed. Excerpt from the Spectator obituary: HALSALL, Dr. Maureen Patricia Maureen passed away unexpectedly on November 17, 2019 in Hamilton, Ontario. She was born in Hamilton on January 19, 1934. … She received an Honours B.A. from McMaster University. She was awarded the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship to study at Harvard where she received her M.A. from Radcliffe College (Harvard) and her Ph.D. from Harvard. Maureen was also the recipient of three Canada Council Fellowships, as well as, The Canadian Federation of Women Fellowship. After graduating from Harvard University she was an instructor at Wellesley College (Massachusetts). She returned to Canada, after the death of her father, where she dedicated herself to caring for her mother. She joined the Department of English at McMaster University. She served as Associate Dean of Humanities (Studies), the Acting Dean of Humanities and as Chairman of the English Department. On her retirement she became Professor Emeritus. Maureen's honours, citations and awards are too numerous to list. Some years ago Maureen obtained a private pilot's licence to fly single engine aircraft. Her interests included travel, theatre, and photography. Her love of travel and curiosity about the world meant she explored all corners of the globe during her lifetime. She was proficient in many languages including French, Italian, German, Greek, Medieval English, Latin and Mandarin. Maureen was the author of The Old English Rune Poem (published by University of Toronto Press, 1981). Maureen's incredible generosity to the various charities she supported made a difference to many lives. Maureen's family would like to thank her neighbours, the Property Manager, the Building Superintendent, the police, paramedics, the hospital staff at Hamilton General Hospital (ICU) and everyone who has been of assistance during this difficult time. She will be remembered fondly by her surviving nephews and nieces.

In Memoriam: Maureen Halsall

Dealing with an Abusive Condo Owner – A Recent Court Decision

There’s an old adage that “a man’s home is his castle.” However, when that castle is a condominium

unit, owners need to realize that they are not the exclusive ruler of their castle and that they do not have

the same freedoms and level of control as the owner of a freehold property. Compromises by owners

are necessary, as the condominium is regulated by the Condominium Act, 1998 (the “Act”), as well as

the declaration, by-laws and rules. In addition, the condo board has the authority to make decisions that

are binding on owners. In making these decisions boards must balance the interests of individual

owners with the interests of the entire condominium community.

Unfortunately, some condo owners have difficulty accepting that their freedom is curtailed and that they

must abide by decisions made by others. When this happens, it can result in a nightmare for the

corporation.

In a recent case, Ottawa Carleton Standard v. Friend, the court dealt with an abusive owner who had

been harassing the corporation’s board members, management employees and contractors for over a

decade. His conduct over the years also contravened the corporation’s governing documents and the

Act. Following is a list of some of the owner’s obstinate and bullying behaviour:

• He disrupted an owners meeting and tried to take over the meeting, which resulted in the Chairperson terminating the meeting;

• He repeatedly left his boots outside the unit in the common element hallway, ignoring requests to refrain from doing so;

• He stored his kayak in his parking stall in contravention of the condominium rules and after the corporation removed the kayak, he called the police alleging that his kayak had been stolen;

• He interfered with the installation of a new smoke detector in his unit which extended the installation time and then refused to pay the increased charges incurred by the corporation as a result of his interference;

• He refused to allow the manager to enter the unit for the installation of the new smoke detector, for the semi-annual fire inspection and to inspect water stains on the ceiling of his unit;

• He forced himself onto the roof of the building when the corporation’s contractor was doing work on the roof;

• He sought to engage both the corporation’s auditor and legal counsel at the corporation’s cost over issues that he disagreed with;

• As well as repeated verbal abuse, he used physical force against the corporation’s President and others;

• He frequently disputed the board’s authority to make and carry out decisions;

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• He persisted in sending copious lengthy emails (74 in one 12-month period) containing multiple unreasonable demands, as well as criticism of the board’s motives, integrity and competence; and

• He engaged in many aggressive encounters with board members and their spouses, as well as management employees and contractors.

The Judge concluded that the owner had refused “to accept the legislated authority of CC 671’s Board

of Directors to make and enforce decisions which he disagrees with” and had engaged in “escalating,

confrontational and aggressive misconduct”.

The Court declared that the owner’s physical and verbal aggression constituted workplace harassment

of the condo manager under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, as well as a breach of section 117

of the Act, which prohibits anyone from carrying on an activity that is likely to cause injury to an

individual. The Court also granted an injunction that prohibits the owner from directly or indirectly

communicating with the corporation’s employees, contractors, board members and their family

members, except for e-mails to the condo manager regarding the general affairs of the corporation, in

the case of emergency, making calls to the corporation’s emergency number and by writing or e-mailing

the corporation’s solicitor. The corporation was also awarded its costs of just over $14,000 which may

be added to the common expenses of the owner’s unit.

Although the corporation was completely successful in this court proceeding, it is interesting to note that

the corporation did not ask the Court to order the owner to sell his unit. As we have reported in previous

blogs, such an order has been granted by the courts in the case of particularly egregious behavior over

a prolonged time period.

Some people are just not suitable for condo living and the compromises that go with it. Uncompromising

owners that engage in confrontational, aggressive and threatening behaviour cannot be tolerated. The

corporation has a statutory duty to enforce compliance with the corporation’s governing documents and

to ensure that no unsafe activity within a unit or the common elements likely to cause harm to persons or

property is permitted to continue.

Denise Lash, AUGUST 13, 2019

The founder of Lash Condo Law, Denise has over 25 years experience as a condominium lawyer

representing condominium clients in all aspects of condominium law. Denise is known for her effective

dispute resolution methods in dealing with issues between condominium corporations and developers as

well as resolving complicated issues faced by her condominium clients.

From the manager’s Desk

Jetta Cornei

At the end of the year I would like to wish you Happy Holidays, a Happy and prosperous New Year, health, joy and peace on our planet and in our hearts. 2019 is coming close to the end and despite expectations, it was a very challenging year but also very successful. Many projects, some scheduled, some not, were completed, making the long list of capital projects shorter and shorter. Three new high efficiencies heating boilers were installed (one in each building), bringing the list of boilers replacement to the last two, that will be installed in the near future. After 46 years of service, the three Make Up Air units were taken off the roofs and replaced with modern high efficiency units. Phase two of the balconies’ railing replacement (1966) was completed, including the concrete repairs and painting of the shear walls and the full replacement of the damaged balcony slab in the corner of the building. All the government requirements or changes were addressed including: TSSA licensing for the 6 elevators; CSAI certification of the anchoring systems on all three buildings; fire system repairs or replacement as per the Fire Code; replacement of the Siamese Fire Department connection, including vertical piping and coring in 1968 as per the 5 years mandatory FDC testing. Under Section 6(2) of Public Pool Operation guidelines, the corporation was mandated to designate a pool operator. Oliver Caballero was designated as a pool operator by the board of Directors and he took the mandatory courses and passed the certification exam with 100% record. Congratulations Oliver!!!!!! All six employees completed the mandatory courses of WHIMIS and Disability in the work place. Congratulations to all staff for passing the exams!!!!! Beside the planned Reserve Fund projects and the government requirements, there were many other projects that were addressed in 2019: replacement of the pool saline chlorinator, the two chemical pumps and the controllers; replacement of three expansion tanks servicing the hydronic heating loop in all three mechanical rooms, replacement of transformer and ventilation in electrical room at 1964 to accommodate high usage of power for A/C units; replacement of booster pump in 1964, to rectify the lower water pressure delivered by the City at the entrance of the property; replace pumps, valves, piping, including the broken domestic underground water pipe in the driveway a few weeks ago. Another major project was the repairs of suspended slabs and structural walls in 1966/1968 underground garage. Many areas of water penetration were repaired, exposed rusted rebars were replaced under the suspended slabs, the retaining walls of the garage ramp were repaired and painted including the drainage system. But, unexpectedly, we encountered a massive water penetration through the vertical structural wall on the second level of the garage. It was determined that ground water created a sinkhole under the drive way. A new system of draining was installed following the excavation of the area. This was a very challenging project due to the fact that underground water is almost impossible to control.

From the manager’s Desk - continued

Following the completion of this project, the 6 louvers for the air intake in 1966/1968 garage were replaced. Also, the ventilation garage system at 1964 located on the corner of the building, was modified to comply with the building code. The above is just a synopsis of the repairs and replacements that were completed in 2019. I would like to thank the board members, previous and current, for their hard work, extra meetings to approve emergency repairs, patience and determination to make the proper decisions that will benefit all the owners at Forest Glen. I also want to thank the staff for their outstanding work, attending to many emergencies, action to minimize damages in emergency situations, team work and optimism. I would like to thank all the contractors and professional staff that were involved in complicated issues and gave us the best advice to solve these issues and avoid liabilities. I also want to thank all the owners and residents for their patience, understanding and cooperation when it was needed. We all understand that living in a condominium can be frustrating sometimes due to some inconveniences created by unexpected equipment malfunctions, therefore we appreciate the trust and the support given to management, staff and contractors. Yours Truly, Jetta Cornei, RCM, GLPM, Senior Property Manager

Thank you to the wonderful volunteers that help

decorate our entrance ways with seasonal flair.